How to Show Thanks - 20 Thanksgiving Ideas

Ways to show thanks this Thanksgiving

Need some ideas for how to show thanks this holiday season? One way to show gratitude for what you have is to give something back. This means giving of your time, your money, and even your heart.

Here are 20 ways to express your gratitude for what you have this holiday season by reaching out to others

List of what you're thankful for: It can include things as important as family or anything else. | Source

Express your gratitude

1. Make a list of everything you are grateful for. Just writing it down will help you to feel more blessed and aware of what you actually have. From simple pleasures to deeper joys, write it all down.

2. Say a prayer of thanks, whether aloud or unspoken, or meditate on the blessings in your life. Think positive thoughts about the people and things for which you are thankful.

3. Send a handwritten letter to someone who shaped you or had a positive and lasting influence on you. This could be an elementary or high school teacher, a coach, a youth minister, or perhaps someone in your own family, such as a parent or grandparent.

4. Contact someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Reach out to a relative or old friend to chat and share how much you care.

5. Send a card or care package to a member of the armed forces to show your appreciation for their service. This act will make both your holidays brighter.

Start Thanksgiving traditions

6. In your own family, encourage family members to reflect on what they’re thankful for. Go around the Thanksgiving table, with each person mentioning at least one thing that he or she appreciates.

7. Visit a shut-in. Take a plate of food from your own Thanksgiving meal.

8. Donate to a specific charity. Get the whole family involved in choosing one each year and contributing toward it financially.

9. Do something for a friend going through a hard time. Take a card and food to someone going through a divorce or grieving a death. Offer to give them some respite by taking the kids for a while.

10. Commit to making a positive change in your life. Instead of waiting until the new year, why not express your gratitude at Thanksgiving by vowing to do something positive in your life such as quitting smoking or establishing an exercise routine.

Want to contribute to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts?

Donate or volunteer

11. Volunteer at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving to help serve the meal. If your town does not have such a place, take food to a shelter or food closet. If you don’t have a local homeless shelter, check with local churches, as most take food to distribute to those in need.

12. Take warm blankets, gloves, and hats to the local homeless shelter

13. Donate clothes and toys to a women’s or children’s shelter.

14. Send an anonymous donation to a family in need. Earmark it for Christmas gifts, medical bills, or something else if you know the specific need. .

15. Donate to others who have recently experienced disasters. Think about recent events that have affected large groups of people. In 2012, for instance, Hurricane Sandy affected a huge number of people on the east coast of the United States. Find worthy causes such as this one where you can donate your money or time.

Hugs welcome! | Source

Give of your time and your heart

16. Do something for your elderly neighbor. Rake the yard. Take out the trash. Drop off a pumpkin pie with a note.

17. Visit your grandparents and other older relatives. If you don’t have any, visit an older person in a nursing home. The social worker there can tell you who gets few or no visitors.

18. Visit the local animal shelter and adopt a pet. Consider saving a life by adopting an older pet. You will enrich its life as well as your own.

19. Pay it forward—Yeah, I know, you’re always hearing this phrase. Well, you are always hearing this phrase because “paying it forward” is a legitimate way to show your gratitude for what you have and passing your gratefulness along to others. Pay it forward by paying for a stranger's meal, by putting extra money in the parking meter, or by leaving a bag of canned goods on the porch of a needy person or family.

20. Give hugs. Hugs are simple. Hugs are free. Hugs are very effective. Hugs are one of the best things you can give away.

I appreciate your comments! Happy Thanksgiving!

No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites.

sending

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks lovedoctor! Happy Thanksgiving to you!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Phyllis--my 9 1/2 year old Shih Tzu, Pekingnese, Terrier mix is spoiled rotten, too. I wouldn't have it any other way. Glad you enjoyed the hub. Happy Thanksgiving!

lovedoctor926

4 years ago

A very nice post just in time for Thanksgiving. A season for sharing and caring. These are helpful tips.

Phyllis Doyle Burns

4 years agofrom High desert of Nevada.

Thank you, Victoria Lynn, for a lovely reminder to all that there are so many things in life to be grateful for. I am grateful for so many things, especially #18. In March of this year, I adopted a 12 year old Pomeranian, Marvin, who is a darling little boy and so sweet. My family and friends tease me that Marvin is "spoiled rotten", but I feel he deserves all the love and care I give him -- he gives back to me with so much affection and joy. Thank you for your list of great ideas.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

DzyMsLizzy--that is so neat about your cousin and the dog! So sweet! There are so many "little" things to be thankful for!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

tillsontitan - You are so right in that we should always be thankful. I guess that Thanksgiving is a good time to remind ourselves. Thanks for the read and the votes!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

carter06--I agree that we should be thankful every day. Yes, I can't imagine going through what they are having to endure in the Philippines. It's heart-breaking. Thanks so much for your wonderful comments.

Liz Elias

4 years agofrom Oakley, CA

How very nice. Many good suggestions. I like the selfless ideas of sharing. Even those of us who have little, have more than some others.

I am reminded of a young cousin (years and years ago), who was "thankful the dog is under the table to eat my vegetables." Kids! LOL

Voted up and useful.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Shryon--I'm so glad this touched you. Hub friends are great, as is Josh Groban! :-)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Rebecca--Glad you enjoyed my list! :-) Thanks so much!

Mary Craig

4 years agofrom New York

I couldn't agree more. Thanksgiving is a good time to start these things but certainly they should be carried on throughout the year.

We have so much to be thankful for and if we're not sure, just read the newspaper or watch the news on TV!

Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting.

Mary

4 years agofrom Cronulla NSW

Love this list Vic.. a lot!! Even though we don't have a national thanksgiving day I do try to make thankfulness part of my everyday life..it's not so hard really.. especially when we see images of countries devastated by natural disasters like the current Typhoon in the Philippines and the heart break it brings..great reminder, thank you..VUUABI shared & pinned..Cheers

Shyron E Shenko

4 years agofrom Texas

Oh Victoria, you touch my heart with this hub, and I love Josh Groban.

I have so much to be grateful for, including my hub friends.

Voted up UABI and shared.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

4 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Au fait--Beautiful comments--thank you! You are so right. And thanks for pinning! :-)

Rebecca Mealey

4 years agofrom Northeastern Georgia, USA

20 wonderful ways to give thanks this Thanksgiving by giving of your time, resources and heart. Thanks. I enjoyed your list! Voted awesome and beautiful!

C E Clark

4 years agofrom North Texas

This is an excellent list of things anyone can do to make the world a better place. So often people do nothing because they think giving money is the only thing that will help, and they don't have any.

Everyone needs a helping hand sometimes and everyone can give a helping hand sometimes. Even small things can make such a difference sometimes, if only to give someone renewed faith in the human race because someone cared enough to give that helping hand or that message of support at a difficult time.

This article has such an important message all year around, but it is especially important now during the holiday season whe so many people are still struggling with our economy that has not yet improved for ordinary working people.

Voted up, AI, pinned to my 'Helping People in Need' board, and shared.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Happybooomernurse--That's a great family tradition you have going there. I do need to try to do more of these throughout the year, too. Thanks for sharing your comments--and the hub!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Cathy, I'm glad you like the suggestions. Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

Gail Sobotkin

5 years agofrom South Carolina

Thanks for sharing these caring suggestions for living the true meaning of Thanksgiving, not just at this holiday time, but year-round.

I am blessed that my husband's family includes all the great aunts and uncles during their Thanksgiving Holiday meal. It's a family tradition that started when we all lived close together, but my husband and I still travel to upstate NY each year, feeling so blessed for this chance to be with everyone.

Voted up across the board except for funny. Also shared.

Ms. Immortal

5 years agofrom NJ

Thanks, love this hub, great information and suggestions. I will definitely pass them on to my family.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Nell, I think you're right! Everybody should have a "Thanksgiving." You should start it! :-)

Nell Rose

5 years agofrom England

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and I wish we celebrated it over here! I think we should start it! lol! seriously, great hub and its lovely to remember the reason for the day, nell

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Happy thanksgiving, lovedoctor! Glad you liked these ideas!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Oh, good, Effer! I was hoping you would say that. LOL!

lovedoctor926

5 years ago

A beautiful hub. These are very good ways to express gratitude this holiday season

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Awesome, Martie! Great to see you!

Paula

5 years agofrom Beautiful Upstate New York

You can have ALL the wine. It gives me HEARTBURN!!! LOL

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Effer--Don't forget the bottle of wine to bring along with that list--LOL. I'm thankful for you, too! :-)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

teaches--I need to be more mindful of doing things like this all year long. Thanks so much!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

always exploring--Thanks for reading and sharing. Happy Thanksgiving!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

ElleBee--Thanks for the input. Glad you liked the list. :-)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Ruchira--You make a great point. It would be wonderful if we practiced these types of ideas all year long!

Martie Coetser

5 years agofrom South Africa

Brilliant ideas for thanksgivings! I buy them all.

Thank you, Victoria :)

Paula

5 years agofrom Beautiful Upstate New York

Vee.....My list of what I am blessed with in this life, is way to long to mention here. I'll bring my list along with me when I come for Thanksgiving dinner! One thing I am thankful for is having you as a friend!!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

GiblinGirl--Thanks! I'm trying to do more of these, too!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

viveresperando--Wow, that's impressive that you give thanks every night and that you don't allow other things to overcome you. Wonderful input. Thank you!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

ImKarn--Yeah, I've noticed that about the Canadian TG! cool. Thanks for the lovely comments! Enjoy TG in Florida!

Dianna Mendez

5 years ago

Victoria, this is a great list and will cost little or nothing to do in expressing heartfelt thanks. I do many of these and I love the blessings received from those you help. Your Pay Forward idea is one that really hits home with me, I'm going to try this. Blessings.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Glad you like, Eddy! thanks so much!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

That's sweet, Mhatter! Bless you.:-)

Ruby Jean Richert

5 years agofrom Southern Illinois

Great hub with wonderful ideas for a peaceful Thanksgiving. To serve in a shelter i would gladly do. Thank you for sharing thoughts..

ElleBee

5 years ago

Beautiful hub. Lots of great ways to remind us to be thankful, and useful suggestions for how we can act on that thankfulness.

Ruchira

5 years agofrom United States

Beautiful ideas of thanks.

These ideas are told million times but we hardly pay heed to it until the actual day arrives.

Voted up as useful.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

RTalloni--That would be a great thing! If only . . . . I need to be more mindful of my own list throughout the year; that is for sure!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

stephanieb24--I, too, want to be more intentional about showing thanks. I'll have to check out your hub, too!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Kris Heeter--You're right about them being good for year-round! Great comments. thanks!

GiblinGirl

5 years agofrom New Jersey

What a great, positive hub. Thanks for sharing. I definitely want to try some of these things - they are all very doable.

viveresperando

5 years agofrom A Place Where Nothing Is Real

Loved this. I try to give thanks every night before I go to bed and any moment when something frustrates, upsets, hurts me, etc it helps me to not allow certain things to get a grasp of my day.. :) enjoyed going through your list.

Karen Silverman

5 years ago

These are beautiful sentiments - for thanksgiving or any old time at all! I'm Canadian and we celebrate TG in oct for some reason, but - i'm heading to florida to do American TG with friends!

I wish you health and happiness always, my friend - and the inner peace that can only come from being surrounded by loving friends and family - and a HUGE hoarkin' turkey!

LOL

Eiddwen

5 years agofrom Wales

A great hub which I thoroughly enjoyed this one and thank you so much for sharing.

I vote up and share.

Eddy.

Martin Kloess

5 years agofrom San Francisco

What can I say? Great advice. Thank you. If I were well, I'd be making my rounds for Toy for Tots.

RTalloni

5 years agofrom the short journey

20 beautiful ideas for showing thanks! Wouldn't it be wonderful if we chose to practice them throughout the year and report back here for Thanksgiving 2013.

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

jpcmc--I love handwritten notes and cards. A letter would mean so much. Thanks for the input. :-)

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

Thanks, ahorseback! I'm thrilled that you think so! I should have included my dog and cats in the list, but I guess they're my family!

stephanieb27

5 years agofrom United States

Love the list! I just wrote a similar hub last week. I want to be more intentional about showing thanks and giving this month. :)

Kris Heeter

5 years agofrom Indiana

I love many of these ideas and will share this with some family and friends. And, most of these can be done all year round! Great hub!

AUTHOR

Victoria Lynn

5 years agofrom Arkansas, USA

PracticalMommy--Glad you liked it! It is good for us to stop and remember to get back--and to count our blessings! I forget sometimes myself! Thanks for the input!

JP Carlos

5 years agofrom Quezon CIty, Phlippines

The hand written letter is a nice one. Having a personal touch makes it more special.

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

This is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)

Google AdSense Host API

This service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

This is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Facebook Login

You can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)

Maven

This supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)

We may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.

Conversion Tracking Pixels

We may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.

Statistics

Author Google Analytics

This is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)

Comscore

ComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)

Amazon Tracking Pixel

Some articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)